Florida man fined $13,000 for smuggling gun into Winkler

A loaded .22 calibre gun was found beneath the Florida man's driver's seat by Canadian border officials over the weekend. (Canada Border Services Agency)

A Florida man has been fined $13,000 for sneaking a loaded gun across the Canadian border last Saturday.

The 60-year-old was stopped by Canadian border services at the crossing around 20-minutes south of Winkler, Man. over the weekend when officers found and seized an “undeclared prohibited and fully loaded .22 calibre revolver.” The gun was found stashed beneath the man’s driver’s seat.

The 60-year-old was then arrested and handed over to border service’s criminal investigations unit.

“This is one less gun that could end up in our communities and on our streets,” said Kim Scoville, Canadian Border Services Agency regional director. “This is one example of the important work our officers do, each and every day, to keep our citizens safe from external threats.”

The man was charged and found guilty of two counts under the Customs Act and ordered to pay the $13,000 fine in a Winnipeg court. He was also sentenced to time-served, which amounted to three days.